''The Clicking of Cuthbert'' is a 1924 British silent

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

series of six 30-minute short films, all involving golf. The series, directed by Andrew P. Wilson and starring Harry Beasley, was based on short stories by

P. G. Wodehouse Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse ( ; 15 October 1881 – 14 February 1975) was an English writer and one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century. His creations include the feather-brained Bertie Wooster and his sagacious valet, Je ...

. These stories were originally published in various magazines; some of the stories had been featured in the collection '' The Clicking of Cuthbert'' (1922), while others were later included in the collection ''

The Heart of a Goof ''The Heart of a Goof'' is a collection of nine short stories by English comic writer P. G. Wodehouse. It was first published in the United Kingdom on April 15, 1926, by Herbert Jenkins Ltd, Herbert Jenkins, and in the United States on March 4, ...

'' (1926). The films were generally faithful to Wodehouse's original stories and used some of Wodehouse's language in the intertitles. However, some major new subplots and gags were added, including a mischievous caddie played by Harry Beasley. The framing device of The Oldest Member was removed, leaving Beasley as the only regular in the series. The films have been restored, and three have been made available together on video: ''Rodney Fails to Qualify'', ''Chester Forgets Himself'', and ''The Long Hole'' (retitled ''The Moving Hazard'').

Films

All six films featured Harry Beasley, credited as The Caddie.

''The Clicking of Cuthbert''

The first short film had the same title as the series. Based on the short story " The Clicking of Cuthbert", collected in '' The Clicking of Cuthbert''. Cast: Peter Haddon as Cuthbert, Helena Pickard as Adeline,

Moore Marriott George Thomas Moore Marriott (14 September 1885 – 11 December 1949) was an English character actor best remembered for the series of films he made with Will Hay. His first appearance with Hay was in the film '' Dandy Dick'' (1935), but he ...

as Vladimir Brusiloff, and Peter Upcher as Raymond. Moore Marriott also appeared in two of the other short films in the series.

''Chester Forgets Himself''

Based on the short story " Chester Forgets Himself", later collected in ''

''. Cast:

Jameson Thomas Jameson Thomas (born Thomas Roland Jameson; 24 March 1888 – 10 January 1939) was an English film actor. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1923 and 1939. Biography He was born in St George Hanover Square, London. On the stage from ...

as Chester Meredith, Ena Evans as Felicia Blakeney, Nelson Ramsey as the vicar, and Nell Emerald as Mrs. Blackeney.

''The Long Hole''

Retitled ''The Moving Hazard'' in its reissue. Based on " The Long Hole", collected in ''The Clicking of Cuthbert''. Cast: Charles Courtneidge as Ralph Bingham, Roger Keyes as Arthur Jukes, Daphne Williams as Amanda Trivett, and Moore Marriott as the grocer.

''Ordeal by Golf''

Based on " Ordeal by Golf", collected in ''The Clicking of Cuthbert''. Cast: Edwin Underhill as Richard Dixon, Jean Jay as Millicent Boyd, Moore Marriott as Reverend Heeza Jones, and Jack Rowell as Mitchell Holmes.

''Rodney Fails to Qualify''

Based on " Rodney Fails to Qualify", later collected in ''The Heart of a Goof''. Cast: Victor Robson as Rodney Spelvin, Lionelle Howard as William Bates, Phyllis Lytton as June Pickard, and Dallas Cairns as Major Patmore.

''The Magic Plus Fours''

Based on " The Magic Plus Fours", later collected in ''The Heart of a Goof''.Taves (2006), pp. 154–155.

References

;Notes ;Bibliography *

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Clicking of Cuthbert (film series), The Film series introduced in 1924 1924 short films 1924 comedy films Films based on works by P. G. Wodehouse British black-and-white films Stoll Pictures films Golf films Short film series Silent British comedy short films